Many parents are deciding not to give their children the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination due to the risk of autism and bowel disorders. Due to this, like medics predicted, an epidemic of measles has occurred all over the country. In this article, all evidence of risks caused by the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination are put down, helping you as a parent or caregiver decide for yourselves whether to vaccinate.

The Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination (aka MMR) was first introduced in 1988 to replace single vaccinations of the diseases. Although single vaccinations can still be used, it is not recommended by health professionals because small amounts of studies have been undertaken to research how reliable it is preventing the diseases.

Measles, Mumps and Rubella are very serious diseases. Complications among them include:

Measles

- One in two thousand, five hundred dying
- One in one hundred needing to be admitted into hospital
- One in one thousand getting meningitis.

Mumps

- One in twenty five being deaf
- One in thirty needing hospital treatment
- Pregnant women having miscarriages.

Rubella

- One in three thousand having a bleeding disorder
- Babies in the womb developing brain damage, deafness, blindness and/or heart problems.

So, why do many decide not to vaccinate their children?

In 1998, controversy broke out. Wakefield published a medical journal arguing the MMR vaccination leads to children developing autism and bowel disorders. Wakefield argued this after studying cases of twelve children who were reported to have developed both behavioral problems and intestinal symptoms after having the MMR vaccine. In January 2001, more controversy was reported after a second paper was published suggesting the MMR vaccination had been linked to gastrointestinal problems and researchers at the time of this outbreak had failed to pick up on it.

Regressive autism has been linked to the MMR vaccine. This is the term for children who have suddenly lost their speech and physical skills after having the MMR vaccine. Over two thousand families have complained to health professionals that their children were totally healthy until the MMR vaccine was given, after this they stopped talking and making physical movements. Scientists have argued that there has been no increase in this since the MMR vaccine was introduced.

A major concern with the MMR vaccine is how the chemicals damage the bowel by getting to the brain and affecting child development. Again, scientists fail to research this fully and link with the MMR vaccination.

Recent American research has shown that eighty five percent of samples taken from autistic children with bowel disorders contain the virus which is the same amount as the one used in the measles, mumps and rubella triple vaccine.

These concerns have stopped many parents getting their children vaccinated with the MMR Vaccine; due to this an epidemic has developed around the country resulting in so far, a death of a thirteen year old boy. Scientists strongly argue that at least ninety three percent of children must be vaccinated to stop the disease from spreading. As it is not public knowledge if Leo Blair (Son of Prime Minister Tony and his wife Cherie) has had the vaccination, many parents are concerned with its safeness.

With all these controversy theories, it was important for scientists to research the vaccination thoroughly to reassure parents and caregivers.

Since Wakefield's journals, Research in America suggest that after the MMR vaccination, autism is only high if parents suffer from thrombophelia, if this is the case, seventy percent of children are likely to develop autism if given the MMR vaccine.

It is argued that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism because many children show signs of developing autism at the same age the MMR in given. To support this, researchers from the Public Health Laboratory Service in 1999 conducted a case study on autistic children from a region between the years of 1979-1994. They found that there was no increase in autism since the MMR vaccine was introduced. There was also no difference in the age diagnosis of autism that had the MMR vaccine. The case was therefore concluded that no link was found between MMR and autism.

Deciding whether or not to vaccinate a child is a hard decision. The disease can be fatal causing serious long term disorders and even death. Of course, every parent only wants the best for their children and making the wrong decision will be their worse nightmare. It is very important to state that many children have this vaccine and have had no side effects; however the two thousand families who believe their children have developed autism since having the MMR vaccine does causes concern.

The main issue now is the large epidemic sweeping across the country as the chances of catching measles in particular is increasingly high. Parents and caregivers need to weigh up all possibilities and decide if the MMR is the right decision for them. I hope this article has helped in doing this.